# Pull-chain switch not attached to fixture...such thing? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494 "2016-11-30T22:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/1 "2016-11-30T22:16:41Z")
Basically I want to put a pull-chain switch on the ceiling (basement rafters) to control a light farther down the citcuit. Not a good place to mount a wall switch. I could buy a fixture with a pull chain, but I was given one without one that’ll work great for free, so I’d like to use it if possible. I’m not even sure such a thing as I’m looking for exists. Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/2 "2016-11-30T22:37:58Z")
They are made. You can get an [unhoused switch from Home Depot](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-1-Amp-125-Volt-T-Pull-Chain-Single-Pole-442-BOX/206469323?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D27L-InteriorLighting-RLSA%7c&gclid=CKXhx7fF0dACFchMDQodlOgLLQ&gclsrc=aw.ds). ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/3 "2016-12-01T00:10:09Z")
I did see those, but I’m not sure how I’d mount them to a box? Will it mount in a knockout? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/4 "2016-12-01T00:16:55Z")
I see: > **[Westinghouse 4 in. Offset Crossbar 7011200 - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-4-in-Offset-Crossbar-7011200/204836013)** > > Mount lighting fixtures with ease when you use the Westinghouse 4 in. Offset Crossbar. This crossbar has a 35 lb. load rating and includes 2 tapped 8/32 holes spaced 2-3/4 in. apart so you can mount fixtures so look for something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/5 "2016-12-01T01:18:29Z")
Or just drill a hole in a plain box cover. I think it’s 3/8 inch but measure the switch barrel. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/6 "2016-12-01T02:07:00Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Or just drill a hole in a plain box cover. I think it’s 3/8 inch but measure the switch barrel. This. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/7 "2016-12-01T03:13:51Z")
Perfect, thanks guys. I’ll report back when I get it done this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/8 "2016-12-02T00:26:30Z")
The speckled band! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/9 "2016-12-02T07:55:58Z")
Standalone pull-cord light switches are really common here in the UK - they look like this: [http://www.superlecdirect.com/p-prc009-scolmore-10amp-2way-pull-switch?gclid=CPf-t\_aD1dACFRC3GwodHuoAmw](http://www.superlecdirect.com/p-prc009-scolmore-10amp-2way-pull-switch?gclid=CPf-t_aD1dACFRC3GwodHuoAmw) Are those sorts of things not available everywhere? I guess they’re so common here I thought they would be. They are standard for any room containing washbasins (so you don’t get wet hands anywhere near the switch contacts). ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/10 "2016-12-02T12:44:06Z")
Awww, this is all straight forward and stuff. Now, see, it would be much funnier if it actually wasn’t connected to anything. See how long someone would pull it over and over before they looked up to see you just had it screwed into the ceiling above them. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/11 "2016-12-02T14:00:36Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Standalone pull-cord light switches are really common here in the UK - they look like this: > [http://www.superlecdirect.com/p-prc009-scolmore-10amp-2way-pull-switch?gclid=CPf-t\_aD1dACFRC3GwodHuoAmw](http://www.superlecdirect.com/p-prc009-scolmore-10amp-2way-pull-switch?gclid=CPf-t_aD1dACFRC3GwodHuoAmw) > > Are those sorts of things not available everywhere? I guess they’re so common here I thought they would be. They are standard for any room containing washbasins (so you don’t get wet hands anywhere near the switch contacts). Yup, looking for something very much like that…no luck so far. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/12 "2016-12-02T14:06:28Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Awww, this is all straight forward and stuff. Now, see, it would be much funnier if it actually wasn’t connected to anything. See how long someone would pull it over and over before they looked up to see you just had it screwed into the ceiling above them. Most excellent suggestion sir. I must acquire such a switch specifically for this purpose. **Sicks Ate** , you can also look for a simple incandescent type overhead fixture with a pull chain that can be wired in series to the remote light. The fixtures are quite common but I don’t know if the switch is only closing the circuit at the fixture or is acting like a light switch that could control additional lights. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/13 "2016-12-02T14:20:32Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > I did see those, but I’m not sure how I’d mount them to a box? Will it mount in a knockout? A standard box probably won’t have the correct size knockout. You might be able to find one (or a cover) that will. You could probably also make it work with some washers. But a step bit will make a hole any size you want. Nice ones can be a bit spendy, but they’re really nice to have around, super easy to use and they drill through metal as easy as a regular bit drills through wood. OTOH, if you really want to hack it, I’ll bet it fits in the little rectangle hole that an on/off switch is supposed to stick out of. If you get a plastic one you can probably just force it in. I mean, it’s not pretty, against code and, in theory a wire could sneak out or someone could stick something in there…but it’ll get the job done. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/14 "2016-12-02T14:27:36Z")
Yes, drilling any standard box should do. A plastic box will be a bit easier to drill. You can also go to a real electrical supply instead of the hardware or big box store and they’ll be able to order a complete unit for you and have it available in just a couple of days. It will likely cost several times as much as just the switch and a standard box though. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/15 "2016-12-02T22:44:35Z")
The barrel of the switch will fit, or almost fit, the hole in a cover plate intended for a TV coax connector: [http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/wlejmk/products/2974/images/6597/1\_gang\_gray\_cable\_switch\_plate\_\_72901.1361556328.1280.1280.jpg?c=2](http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/wlejmk/products/2974/images/6597/1_gang_gray_cable_switch_plate__72901.1361556328.1280.1280.jpg?c=2) These can be had in metal or plastic from any big box DIY store that would carry your switch. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/16 "2016-12-03T01:08:58Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The barrel of the switch will fit, or almost fit, the hole in a cover plate intended for a TV coax connector: [http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/wlejmk/products/2974/images/6597/1\_gang\_gray\_cable\_switch\_plate\_\_72901.1361556328.1280.1280.jpg?c=2](http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/wlejmk/products/2974/images/6597/1_gang_gray_cable_switch_plate__72901.1361556328.1280.1280.jpg?c=2) > > These can be had in metal or plastic from any big box DIY store that would carry your switch. So if it doesn’t quite fit, do you think I can…you know…coax it through? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/17 "2016-12-03T01:40:21Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > So if it doesn’t quite fit, do you think I can…you know…coax it through? If it’s close, it’ll be fine. Just don’t force it too much since those plates are brittle and tend to snap. You’ll be better off reaming it out with a drill. A little too big is better then a little too small. Also, not knowing what your intentions are, make sure it looks super nice and well done if you ever plan to move and leave it in place just since _technically_, even like that, it wouldn’t be up to the strictest of codes. (A coax cover probably isn’t UL listed (for 110v), I’m not sure if you can technically use a plastic cover on box without drywall around it, that kind of stuff). IOW, when you’re hobbling stuff together, try to make it’s easy to rip out and make ‘normal’, should the need arise. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-chain-switch-not-attached-to-fixture-such-thing/773494/18 "2016-12-05T20:52:45Z")
Installed yesterday in no time with no problems. I was replacing a single-bulb ceramic fixture with a 4x4’ bulb fluorescent. So I just used the box the old fixture was on…made right size hole for pull-switch in a blank/cover and bam. Works like it was meant to be that way.